Generator set assembly with baffle

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a housing having a ventilation opening. A component such as a generator set can be disposed within an interior space of the housing. A baffle can be disposed within the interior space of the housing at a location that obstructs an acoustic line of sight between the ventilation opening and the component to eliminate or otherwise reduce a sound signature of the component. The baffle can also be configured to accumulate water from the ventilation opening. A drain can also be provided to aid in the removal of water accumulated by the baffle and route the water outside the housing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/323,415, filed Dec. 12, 2011, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

The present invention was made under U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)contract Number FA8533-09-D-0004 for the U.S. Air Force. The Governmenthas certain rights in the invention.

BACKGROUND

The present application is directed to unique apparatus, systems, andmethods involving generator set generator driven by an engine.

A generator set (also known as a “genset”) typically includes an engineand an electric power generator coupled to the engine. The engine isstructured to mechanically drive the generator which, in turn, canproduce electricity. Genset implementation varies greatly, includingboth mobile and stationary applications, primary and standby/backuppower, controlled and uncontrolled environments, and the like. In manyapplications it is desired that the genset operate outdoors, being ableto tolerate environmental extremes of temperature, humidity,precipitation (e.g., rain, snow, ice, etc.), and the like. Alternativelyor additionally, there is often a desire to minimize noise emanatingfrom the genset, while maintaining a sufficiently small genset formfactor; to improve genset efficiency, maintainability, reliability,and/or manufacturability; to provide operator-friendly input/outputgenset interfacing; to facilitate shipping and/or installation; andother sought-after features. Accordingly, there remains an ongoing needfor further contributions in this area of technology.

SUMMARY

One embodiment exemplarily disclosed herein is a unique apparatusincorporating a component such as a generator set. Other embodimentsinclude unique apparatus, systems, devices, and methods for protectingcomponents from environmental elements such as water while alsominimizing a sound-signature produced by the components. Furtherembodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of thepresent application shall become apparent from the description andfigures provided herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view diagrammatically illustrating an apparatusincluding a housing for a component such as a generator set, accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view diagrammatically illustrating a baffleaccording to one embodiment, and an exemplary arrangement of someexemplary components that can be disposed within an interior space ofthe housing shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a control system andcomponents associated with the generator set shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partially schematic, sectional view with an XY view planeperpendicular to the Z-axis in which one embodiment of a baffle disposedwithin an interior space of a housing.

FIG. 5 is a partially schematic, sectional view with an XY view planeperpendicular to the Z-axis further depicting the baffle with a drainfor routing water accumulated by the baffle are disposed within aninterior space of a housing.

FIG. 6 is a partially schematic, sectional view with an XY view planeperpendicular to the Z-axis of a further embodiment depicting the bafflewith a pump for removing accumulated water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated inthe drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. Itwill nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modificationsin the described embodiments, and any further applications of theprinciples of the invention as described herein are contemplated aswould normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the inventionrelates.

A generator set assembly is disclosed that includes a housing definingan interior which at least partially houses a generator set. The housingincludes an upper portion that defines at least one ventilation airopening through which, for example, air from the interior is exhausted.A baffle is positioned in the interior of the housing between thegenerator set and the air opening to re-direct or route noise from thegenerator set around the baffle, increasing the distance of travel ofthe noise in the housing and reducing sound levels of the generator setexterior to the housing. Due to the positioning of the air opening,water may be transmitted to the interior of the housing. The baffle alsodirects the water and can be connected to a drain to outlet water to theexterior of the housing.

Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus, such as a generator set assembly 100,can include a frame 102 and a housing 104 disposed on the frame 102. Inone embodiment, the housing 104 can be coupled to the frame 102 by anysuitable means (e.g., by welding, fasteners, bolts, clamps, rivets, orthe like or a combination thereof).

As will be described in greater detail below, the generator set assembly100 may also include one or more components disposed within an interiorspace of the housing 104. These components may be supported by the frame102. However, it should be appreciated that while housing 104 is framesupported in the depicted embodiment, in other embodiments housing 104may not be supported by frame 102.

The housing 104 can include a plurality of walls and a roof structureextending between the walls to define a substantially enclosed space.The walls include panels or other suitable structure to define sideportions of housing 104, such as first side portion 106 a, second sideportion 106 b, third side portion 108 a and fourth side portion 108 b.The roof structure includes one or more panels or other suitablestructure to define an upper portion of housing 104, such as upperportion 110. As exemplarily illustrated, the first side portion 106 a isspaced apart from the second side portion 106 b, the third side portion108 a is spaced apart from the fourth side portion 108 b, and the upperportion 110 is coupled to the upper ends of first side portion 106 a,the second side portion 106 b, the third side portion 108 a and thefourth side portion 108 b. Constructed as exemplarily described above,the interior space of the housing is defined by interior surfaces of thefirst side portion 106 a, the second side portion 106 b, the third sideportion 108 a, the fourth side portion 108 b, and the upper portion 110.

In one embodiment, the upper portion 110 and each side portion 106 a,106 b, 108 a and 108 b are provided as one or more individual panelsthat are coupled together directly (e.g., by welding, fasteners,interlocking parts, or the like or a combination thereof). In anotherembodiment, however, the individual panels of the upper and sideportions can be coupled to one or more common support structures such asbeams or columns (not shown) (e.g., by welding, fasteners, interlockingparts, or the like or a combination thereof), thereby indirectlycoupling the individual panels together. In one example, the individualpanels of the upper portion and side portions can be coupled together asexemplarily described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/248,849 (hereinafter, “the '849 application”), filed on Oct. 5, 2009,in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/924,774 (hereinafter, “the '774application”), filed on Oct. 5, 2010, in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/924,775 (hereinafter, “the '775 application”), filed on Oct. 5,2010, and/or in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/924,806(hereinafter, “the '806 application”), filed on Oct. 5, 2010, each ofwhich is herein incorporated by reference in its respective entirety. Inanother embodiment, however, one or more of the first side portion 106a, the second side portion 106 b, the third side portion 108 a, thefourth side portion 108 b, and the upper portion 110 may be provided asingle, integrally-formed piece. One or more of the first side portion106 a, the second side portion 106 b, the third side portion 108 a, thefourth side portion 108 b, and the upper portion 110 may be formed ofany suitable material or combinations of materials for a genset housing.In one embodiment, interior surfaces of the first side portion 106 a,the second side portion 106 b, the third side portion 108 a, the fourthside portion 108 b, and/or the upper portion 110 may be lined with asound-absorbing material (e.g., to reduce a sound signature of thegenerator set assembly 100).

Although FIG. 1 illustrates the first side portion 106 a, the secondside portion 106 b, the third side portion 108 a, the fourth sideportion 108 b, and the upper portion 110 as being substantially planar,it will be appreciated that any of these portions can be bent, curved,planar, angular, or the like, or a combination thereof, and may have anydesired surface texture. Further, although FIG. 1 illustrates thehousing 104 as including only four side portions, it will be appreciatedthat the housing 104 can be provided with any number of side portions.Furthermore, housing 104 may include multiple upper portions forming anon-planar arrangement.

The housing 104 can include openings that communicate with or open intothe interior of housing 104. For example, the upper portion 110 caninclude a ventilation air exhaust opening 112. Further, the first sideportion 106 a can include a ventilation air intake opening 114 and anaccess opening such as interface access opening 116. Although notillustrated, one or more of the openings 112, 114 and 116 can beprovided with a debris barrier to prevent unwanted objects such as dust,leaves, stones, branches, and other debris from entering into theinterior space of the housing 104. As an example, a debris barrier caninclude a grille, a louver (e.g., removable, permanently attached,etc.), a louver assembly (e.g., adjustable, fixed, permanently attached,removable, etc.), a door, a screen, or the like or a combinationthereof.

As will be discussed in greater detail below, the ventilation airexhaust opening 112 is structured such that air (e.g., ventilation air)within the interior space of the housing 104 can flow outside thehousing 104. However, water (e.g., dew, drizzle, rain, sleet, snow,hail, ice, or the like or a combination thereof) can also enter into theinterior space of the housing 104 through the ventilation air exhaustopening 112. The ventilation air intake opening 114 is structured suchthat ventilation air can be drawn into the interior space of the housing104 from outside the housing 104. As will also be discussed in greaterdetail below, the interface access opening 116 is structured to permit auser to access an interface of a control system from outside the housing104.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates the first side portion 106 a as includingone ventilation air intake opening 114, it will be appreciated that thefirst side portion 106 may include any number of ventilation air intakeopenings 114. Likewise, any of the side portions 106 a, 106 b, 108 a and108 b and/or the upper portion 110 may include any number of ventilationair intake openings 112, or any other type of opening. Similarly,although FIG. 1 illustrates the first side portion 106 as including theinterface access opening 116, it will be appreciated that the interfaceaccess opening be provided in any side portion 106 a, 106 b, 108 a or108 b and/or 110. In one example, the side portion 106 a, 106 b, 108 aand 108 b, and 110, can be provided with openings such as thoseexemplarily described in the '849 application, the '774 application, the'775 application, and/or the '806 application.

Referring to FIG. 2, one or more components can be supported by theframe 102 and disposed, either completely or partially, within aninterior space (identified by dashed box 200) of the housing 104 (notshown for clarity). Exemplary components illustrated in FIG. 2 include agenerator set 202 and a cooling fan 204. Although the generator set 202is illustrated as being completely disposed within the interior space200, it will be appreciated that the generator set 202 can alternativelybe only partially disposed within the interior space 200.

The generator set 202 includes components such as an engine 206 and anelectric power generator 208. In one embodiment, the engine 206 iscoupled to the electric power generator 208 by, for example, a driveshaft (not shown). In operation, the engine 206 drives the electricpower generator 208 to produce electricity. The engine 206 can beprovided as any desired engine (e.g., a gasoline internal combustionengine, a diesel internal combustion engine, a gas turbine engine, orthe like). In one example, the engine 206 and electric power generator208 can be provided and operated as exemplarily described in the '849application, the '774 application, the '775 application, and/or the '806application.

In one embodiment, the cooling fan 204 is disposed at a locationadjacent to the ventilation air intake opening 114 and is structured todraw air (e.g., ventilation air) from outside the housing 104 into theinterior space 200 through the ventilation air intake opening 114. Inone embodiment, ventilation air drawn into the interior space 200 by thecooling fan 204 can be warmed by heat generated during operation of thegenerator set 202. The warmed ventilation air can then be exhausted tothe environment outside the housing 104 through the ventilation airexhaust opening 112. Thus, the cooling fan 204 can be operated to helpmaintain a temperature within the interior space 200 to be at or near asuitable operating temperature for the generator set 202 (e.g., about90.5 degrees Celsius). Although FIG. 2 illustrates only one cooling fan204, it will be appreciated that any number of cooling fans 204, of anytype, can be disposed within the interior space 200. In one example, oneor more cooling fans 204 can be provided and operated as exemplarilydescribed in the '849 application, the '774 application, the '775application, and/or the '806 application.

Although FIG. 2 only illustrates a generator set 202 and a cooling fan204 as exemplary components that may be disposed within the interiorspace 200, it will be appreciated that other components can be disposed,either completely or only partially, within the interior space 200. Forexample, and with reference to FIG. 3, such other components may includea control system 300, a radiator 302, an intake air cooler 304, a fuelcooler 306, a coolant heater 308, and an intake air heater 310. It willnevertheless be appreciated that more or fewer components can bedisposed within the interior space 200. Collectively, components such asthe cooling fan 204, the radiator 302, the intake air cooler 304, thefuel cooler 306, the coolant heater 308 and the intake air heater 310may be considered as part of a temperature regulation system 312.Although not illustrated, one or more additional components such as atemperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a thermostat, or the like, may beoperatively coupled to the temperature regulation system 312, thegenerator set 202, the cooling fan 204, or the like or a combinationthereof, to support operations of the temperature regulation system 312,the generator set 202, or the like.

Generally, the radiator 302 acts as a heat exchanger for coolant (e.g.,water, antifreeze, etc.) that circulates through, for example, an engineblock of the engine 206. In one embodiment, the intake air cooler 304can be structured to dissipate heat from compressed air exiting aturbocharger into the interior space 200 before the compressed airenters the engine 206. As a result, the intake air can be cooled and theoperating efficiency of the engine 206 can be relatively improved. Inone embodiment, the fuel cooler 306 can be structured to cool fuelbefore the fuel is injected into the engine 206, thereby permitting theoperating efficiency of the engine 206 to be relatively improved. In oneexample, the radiator 302, the intake air cooler 304 and the fuel cooler306 can be provided and operated as exemplarily described in the '849application, the 774 application, the 775 application, and/or the '806application.

In one embodiment, the cooling fan 204 and one or more of the radiator302, the intake air cooler 304 and the fuel cooler 306 can be structuredand arranged within the interior space 200 such that ventilation airdrawn into the interior space 200 by the cooling fan 204 passes over theradiator 302, the intake air cooler 304 and/or the fuel cooler 306,thereby transferring heat from the radiator 302, the intake air cooler304 and/or the fuel cooler 306 to the ventilation air. The warmedventilation air can then be exhausted to the environment outside thehousing 104 through the ventilation air exhaust opening 112. Thus, thecooling fan 204 and one or more of the radiator 302, the intake aircooler 304 and the fuel cooler 306 can be operated to help maintaintemperatures of coolant, intake air and/or fuel supplied to the engine206 to be at or near suitable operating temperatures.

In one embodiment, the coolant heater 308 can be structured to heatcoolant when the temperature inside or outside the housing 104 isextremely cold (e.g., in a range from −32 degrees Celsius to −46 degreesCelsius). The coolant heater can structured to heat coolant by using(e.g., burning) fuel used during operation of the engine 206. In oneembodiment, the air intake heater 310 can be structured to warm air in acombustion chamber of the engine 206 when the intake air is otherwisetoo cold (e.g., in a range from −6 degrees Celsius to −32 degreesCelsius) for effective ignition within the engine 206. In one example,the coolant heater 308 and the air intake heater 31O can be provided andoperated as exemplarily described in the '849 application, the '774application, and/or the '775 application.

As exemplarily illustrated, the control system 300 may, for example,include a controller 314 coupled to the memory 316, and an interface 318coupled to the controller 314. The controller 314, memory 316, andinterface 318 may be variously coupled together by any suitable wired orwireless communication means. In one embodiment, each of the controller314, memory 316, and interface 318 can be disposed, either completely orpartially, within the interior space 200. In another embodiment, acomponent such as the memory 316 may be disposed outside the housing104, local to or remote from the generator set assembly 100.

Generally, the controller 314 is structured to control the operation ofone or more the components disposed within the interior space 200. Forexample, the controller 314 can be structured to control an operation ofthe generator set 202, an operation of one or more components of thetemperature regulation system 312, or the like or a combination thereof.In one embodiment, the controller 314 includes a processor (not shown)that is configured to execute operating logic defining various control,management, operation, and/or regulation functions. This operating logicmay be in the form of dedicated hardware, such as a hardwired statemachine, programming instructions, and/or a different form as wouldoccur to those skilled in the art. The processor may be provided as asingle component, or a collection of operatively coupled components. Theprocessor may include digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or acombination thereof. When of a multi-component form, the processor mayhave one or more components remotely located relative to the others. Theprocessor can include multiple processing units arranged to operateindependently, in a pipeline processing arrangement, in a parallelprocessing arrangement, and/or such different arrangement as would occurto those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the processor is aprogrammable microprocessing device of a solid-state, integrated circuittype that includes one or more processing units and memory. Theprocessor can include one or more signal conditioners, modulators,demodulators, Arithmetic Logic Units (ALUs), Central Processing Units(CPUs), limiters, oscillators, control clocks, amplifiers, signalconditioners, filters, format converters, communication ports, clamps,delay devices, memory devices, and/or different circuitry or functionalcomponents as would occur to those skilled in the art to perform anydesired control, management, operation and/or regulation functions. Inone example, the controller 314 can be provided and operated asexemplarily described in the '849 application, the '774 application, the'775 application, and/or the '806 application.

Generally, the memory 316 is structured to store data relating tooperating parameters of components of the generator set assembly 100(e.g., of the generator set 202, of one or more components of thetemperature regulation system 312, or the like or a combinationthereof), instructions, operation commands, algorithms, and any otherinformation or data associated with any aspect of the generator setassembly 100, including its operation, maintenance, and the like. In oneembodiment, the memory 316 includes one or more components and can be ofany volatile or nonvolatile type, including the solid state variety, theoptical media variety, the magnetic variety, any combination of these,or such different arrangement as would occur to those skilled in theart. In one example, the memory 316 can be provided and operated asexemplarily described in the '849 application, the '774 application,and/or the '775 application.

Generally, the interface 318 is coupled to the controller 314 and isstructured and arranged so as to be accessible from outside the housing104 through the access opening 116. In one embodiment, the interface 318is structured to control an operation of the controller 314 (e.g., uponbeing engaged by a user or operator of the generator set assembly 100).In one embodiment, the interface 318 can be engaged to cause thecontroller 314 to display, print, transmit, or otherwise make availableto the user, the operator, or any other entity, data or informationstored within the memory 316. Accordingly, the interface 318 may includea display panel (e.g., a cathode ray tube, a liquid crystal displaypanel, a light emitting diode display panel, a touchscreen displaypanel, an indicator lamp, or the like or a combination thereof), anelectrical communication port (e.g., a serial port, a parallel port, aUniversal Serial Bus port, a FireWire port, an Ethernet port, or thelike or a combination thereof), an optical communication port, a keypad,a push-button, a knob, and a switch. In one example, the interface 318can be provided and operated as exemplarily described in the '849application, the '774 application, and/or the '775 application.

Referring back to FIG. 2, and as mentioned above, the ventilation airexhaust opening 112 is structured to allow ventilation air within theinterior space 200 to flow outside the housing 104. As exemplarilyillustrated, components such as the engine 206 can be disposed withinthe interior space 200 such that an acoustic line of sight existsbetween the ventilation air exhaust opening 112 and the engine 206. Whenan acoustic line of sight exists between the ventilation air exhaustopening 112 and any sound-producing component, such as the engine 206,sound generated by the component can undesirably propagate outside thehousing 104 by a direct path from the source of the sound to ventilationair exhaust opening 112. Thus, depending on the component that isdisposed within an acoustic line of sight with the ventilation airexhaust opening 112, the sound signature of the generator set assembly100 can be undesirably high.

To eliminate or otherwise reduce the sound signature of the generatorset assembly 100, a sound barrier, such as baffle 210, can be disposedwithin the interior space 200. In one embodiment, the baffle 210 can beformed from any suitable sound-absorbing material and be structured toobstruct, either completely or only partially, an acoustic line of sightbetween the ventilation air exhaust opening 112 and at least a portionof the component generating the sound. Accordingly, in the illustratedembodiment, the baffle 210 is positioned in housing 104 to obstruct anacoustic line of sight between the ventilation air exhaust opening 112and the engine 206. However, it should be appreciated that in otherembodiments, baffle 210 is not formed from a sound-absorbing material oris only partially formed from such material. In still other embodiments,baffle 210 may be differently shaped, provided from two or more distinctpieces separate from one another and/or assembled together, or baffle210 is absent.

The baffle 210 may be coupled to any structure permitting the baffle 210to be located acoustically between the ventilation air exhaust opening112 and the sound-producing component. In the illustrated embodiment,for example, the baffle 210 may be mounted to and extend from astructure 212 in interior 200 of housing 104. Structure 212 may be aheat shield, an internal support for other components of the generatorset assembly 100, a partition, a divider, a housing support, a dedicatedsupport for baffle 210, or a combination thereof. Further, the structure212 may have apertures, access openings, or the like extending therethrough. In the illustrated embodiment, the structure 212 may include adrive shaft opening (not shown) configured to allow a drive shaft extendfrom the engine 206 to the electric power generator 208.

In one embodiment, the baffle 210 may be spaced apart from one or moreportions of the housing 104. For example, and with reference to FIGS. 2and 4, the baffle 210 is spaced apart from the first side portion 106 a,the second side portion 106 b, and the fourth side portion 108 b. In theillustrated configuration, the baffle 21O may be spaced apart from thethird side portion 108 a, or may contact the third side portion 108 a.It will also be appreciated that the baffle 210 may contact one of thefirst side portion 106 a or the second side portion 106 b. Asexemplarily illustrated in FIG. 4, the width of the baffle 210 (e.g., asmeasured along the X-axis) and the length of baffle 210 (e.g., asmeasured along the Z-axis) is selected such that the baffle 210 ispartially overlapped by or lies under the upper portion 110 of housing104 and is larger in size than ventilation air exhaust opening 112. Inother embodiments, the baffle 210 may not be overlapped by the upperportion 110 of housing 104. Accordingly, in at least one embodiment, atleast a portion of the baffle 210 can be located under the ventilationair exhaust opening 112 such that when housing interior 200 is viewedinternally through exhaust opening 112 (e.g., in the direction of theY-axis) only baffle 210 is visible.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the baffle 210 creates a labyrinth-like path(identified by arrow 400) along which sound produced by a component(e.g., the engine 206) must travel before exiting the housing 104through ventilation air exhaust opening 112. Baffle 21O causes the soundto travel an indirect route from the sound-generating component andexhaust opening 112 to increase the distance the sounds travels beforeexiting housing 104. In the example shown, the labyrinth-like path 400is delineated by a first space defined between a first edge 402 a of thebaffle 210 and an interior surface 404 a of the first side portion 106a, by a second space defined between a second edge 402 b of the baffle210 and an interior surface 404 b of the second side portion 106 b andby a third space defined between an upper surface 406 of the baffle 210and an interior surface 408 of the upper portion 110. The distancebetween the first edge 402 a and interior surface 404 a (i.e., the widthof the first space), the distance between the second edge 402 b andinterior surface 404 b (i.e., the width of the second space) and thedistance between the upper surface 406 and interior surface 408 (i.e.,the width of the third space) may be selected as desired to ensuresufficient exhaust of ventilation air and sufficient reduction in soundsignature of the generator set assembly 100. Moreover, a distancebetween the baffle 210 and any sound-producing component, such as theengine 206, below the baffle 210 may be selected as desired to ensuresufficient reduction in sound signature of the generator set assembly100.

According to some embodiments, the interior space 200 of the housing 104may or may not be maintained at a positive air pressure relative to theenvironment outside the housing 104. Nevertheless, and as discussedabove, water (e.g., dew, drizzle, rain, sleet, snow, hail, ice, or thelike or a combination thereof) can enter into the interior space 200 ofthe housing 104 through the ventilation air exhaust opening 112. Suchintrusion of water into the interior space 200 can cause undesirablecorrosion of the generator set assembly 100 as well as potentialshorting of electrical components within the housing 104, therebypotentially damaging the generator set assembly 100 and requiringincreased maintenance.

To eliminate or otherwise reduce the intrusion of water into thegenerator set assembly 100, baffle 210 may also function as a waterdeflector and/or accumulator that is disposed within the interior space200. In one embodiment, baffle 210 forms a reservoir and thus isstructured to accumulate at least a portion of the water entering intothe interior space 200 through the ventilation air exhaust opening 112.In the illustrated embodiment, the reservoir is formed by baffle 210,although other embodiments contemplate a baffle that accumulates waterthat is a separate structure from the sound baffle. In still otherembodiment, the baffle 210 does not accumulate water but rather isstructured to merely deflect the water and provide a flow path for thewater to a drainage structure.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper surface 406 of the baffle 210 facestoward the ventilation air exhaust opening 112 and includes a reservoirregion 502 structured to accumulate water that has entered into theinterior space 200 through the ventilation air exhaust opening 112(e.g., indicated by arrow 504). For example, the reservoir region 502 ofthe upper surface 406 can be structured to provide a low point or arearelative to other regions of the upper surface 406 adjacent thereto. Byaccumulating water within the reservoir region 502, damage to thegenerator set assembly 100 that would otherwise have been caused by thewater can be reduced or eliminated. Although the upper surface 406 ofbaffle 210 is illustrated as including only one reservoir region 502, itwill be appreciated that the upper surface 406 may include any number ofreservoir regions 502, which may be provided in any suitable arrangementto collect water. Although not shown, one or more structures may beprovided to eliminate or otherwise reduce the likelihood that water willoverflow out of the reservoir region 502 and onto components within theinterior space 200. For example, auxiliary trays, gutters, channels,storage tanks, or the like or a combination thereof may be disposed ator below one or more peripheral edges of the baffle 210 to catch anyoverflowing water 504. Alternatively or additionally; a pump (see, forexample, the embodiment of FIG. 6) may be used to draw water from theupper surface 406.

As exemplarily illustrated, the upper surface 406 includes a firstinclined portion 506 a and a second inclined portion 506 b, both ofwhich are inclined (e.g., in the direction of the Y-axis relative to theX-axis, as shown in FIG. 1) such that lower regions of the first andsecond inclined portions 506 a and 506 b form the reservoir region 502.

In one embodiment, the first inclined portion 506 a of the upper surface406 forms an included angle of less than 180 degrees with the secondinclined portion 506 b of the upper surface 406. Although the first andsecond inclined portions 506 a and 506 b of the upper surface 406 areillustrated as being inclined relative to the X-axis, it will beappreciated that one or both of the first and second inclined portions506 a and 506 b may also or alternatively be inclined relative to anyother axis (e.g., the Z-axis, as shown in FIG. 1) in any manner desired.It will also be appreciated that the upper surface 406 of the baffle 210may include any number of inclined portions, including only one inclinedportion, which may be provided in any desired arrangement and at anydesired inclination relative to the X-, Y-, or Z-axis. Furthermore, theperimeter edges 402 a, 402 b and the edge along side wall portion 108 aand/or structure 212 may include a lip or other structure extendingupwardly therefrom to prevent water overflow. It will also beappreciated that the upper surface 406 of the baffle 210 may not includeany inclined portions.

In one embodiment, water accumulated by the baffle 21O may be at leastpartially removed through evaporation. For example, heat generatedduring operation of the generator set 202 can evaporate wateraccumulated on the upper surface 406 of the baffle 210. The resultingwater vapor can then be carried outside the housing 104 through theventilation air exhaust opening 112, along with the warmed ventilationair. As best illustrated in FIG. 5, a drainage structure, such as drain508, is provided as an outlet to drain water from the upper surface 406of the baffle 210.

As exemplarily illustrated, the drain 508 can have a first end 508 a anda second end 508 b, wherein the first end 508 a is in fluidcommunication with reservoir region 502 of baffle 210 and is structuredto receive water accumulated by the baffle 210. In one embodiment,baffle 210 can include a drainage opening 510 having a first end 510 adefined in the upper surface 406 of the baffle 210 and a second end 510b defined in some other portion of the baffle 210 (e.g., a lower surfaceof the baffle 210). The first end 510 a of drainage opening 510 can belocated in the lowest point or area of reservoir region 502 of the uppersurface 406 and the first end 508 a of the drain 508 can be connected tosecond end 510 b of the drainage opening 510. In one embodiment, thebaffle 210 may include an adapter (not shown) configured to mate withthe first end 508 a of drain 508 and drainage opening 510.

The drain 508 can be provided as a tube, a conduit, a pipe, a duct, ahose, a channel, or the like or a combination thereof, and be structuredsuch that water received at the first end 508 a is movable (under theinfluence of gravity, via pump operation, or the like) to the second end508 b. It will be appreciated that the second end 508 b of drain 508 canbe disposed outside the interior space 200 either directly or through asuitable outlet device 512. For example a portion of the drain 508 canextend at least partially through an opening or aperture formed in theframe 102, the housing 104, or the like or a combination thereof. Inanother embodiment, however, a water outlet device 512, may be disposedwithin the interior space 200 and be structured to receive water fromthe second end 508 b of the drain 508 to store the water or to conveythe received water outside the housing 104 (e.g., through an opening oraperture formed in the frame 102, the housing 104, or the like or acombination thereof) along a water routing path that directs the wateraway from housing 104.

FIG. 6 illustrates generator set assembly 600 of yet another embodimentof the present application; where like reference numerals refer to likefeatures previously described. FIG. 6 is a partially schematic,sectional view like that of FIG. 5 that additionally includes a pump612. Pump 612 is mechanically and/or electrically powered to draw wateraway from reservoir region 502 and may be provided with or without aseparate drain 508. Assembly 600 may otherwise be configured and/oroperated like assembly 100, as described in connection with FIGS. 1-5.

Any theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding stated herein ismeant to further enhance understanding of embodiments of the presentinvention and is not intended to make the present invention in any waydependent upon such theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding.In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,”“at least one,” “at least a portion” are used there is no intention tolimit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to thecontrary in the claim. Further, when the language “at least a portion”and/or “a portion” is used the item may include a portion and/or theentire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and describedin detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it beingunderstood that only the selected embodiments have been shown anddescribed and that all changes, modifications and equivalents that comewithin the spirit of the invention as defined herein or by any of thefollowing claims are desired to be protected.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a housing including: afirst side portion, a second side portion, and an upper portionextending between the first side portion and the second side portion; aventilation air intake opening in at least one of the first side portionand the second side portion; and a ventilation air exhaust openingdefined in the upper portion, an interior space of the housing being atleast partially defined by the first side portion, the second sideportion, and the upper portion; a generator set at least partiallydisposed within the interior space of the housing; a ventilation fandisposed within the interior space of the housing at a location adjacentto the ventilation air intake opening, the ventilation fan configured todraw air from outside the housing into the interior space of the housingthrough the ventilation air intake opening; and a baffle disposed withinthe interior space of the housing and spaced apart from the upperportion and at least one of the first and second side portions of thehousing, wherein the baffle is configured to receive water from at leastthe ventilation air exhaust opening and to direct the received wateraway from the generator set.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thebaffle deflects water received via the ventilation air exhaust openinginto the interior of the housing.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe baffle includes an upper surface facing the ventilation air exhaustopening, the upper surface of the baffle defining a reservoir region toaccumulate water transmitted through the ventilation air exhaustopening.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of theupper surface of the baffle is inclined in the reservoir region.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the baffle comprises an upper surfacefacing toward the ventilation air exhaust opening, and wherein adrainage opening is provided along the upper surface of the baffle. 6.The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a drain having a first endand a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the drainageopening so as to receive water deflected by the baffle, and wherein thesecond end is configured to deposit the water outside the housing. 7.The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the baffle defines a reservoir regionto accumulate water deflected by the baffle, wherein the drainageopening is located in fluid communication with the reservoir region, andwherein the drain comprises a conduit extending from the first end tothe second end of the drain.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein thesecond end of the drain is lower than the first end of the drain suchthat water received by the drain from the baffle is routed through thedrain by gravity.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein: the first andsecond side portions of the housing are spaced apart from each other onopposite sides of the housing, the upper portion connects the first andsecond side portions, and the ventilation air intake opening is formedin the first side portion of the housing.
 10. The apparatus of claim 3,wherein the baffle is positioned so as to obstruct acoustic noisetransfer.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion ofthe generator set is located under the ventilation air exhaust opening,and the baffle is positioned between the portion of the generator setand the ventilation air exhaust opening.
 12. An apparatus, comprising: ahousing defining an interior and a ventilation opening extending throughan upper portion of the housing into the interior; a generator set atleast partially disposed within the interior of the housing; a baffledisposed within the housing so as to be situated below the ventilationopening and above a portion of the generator set, and a pump configuredto receive water from at least the ventilation opening and to direct thereceived water away from the generator set.
 13. The apparatus of claim12, wherein the baffle is configured to deflect water transmittedthrough the ventilation opening to a drain.
 14. The apparatus of claim12, wherein the baffle defines a reservoir region for accumulating watertransmitted through the ventilation opening.
 15. The apparatus of claim14, further comprising a drain in fluid communication with the reservoirregion, wherein the drain provides a flow path for water accumulated inthe reservoir region to a location outside the housing.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein the pump comprises at least one of amechanical pump and an electrical pump, and wherein the pump isconfigured to convey the water from the reservoir region.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein the baffle obstructs an acoustic line ofsight between the ventilation opening and the at least a portion of thegenerator set so as to route acoustic noise from the generator setaround the baffle to exit the housing through the ventilation opening.18. A system for protecting a generator set, including: a housingcomprising a first side portion, a second side portion, and an upperportion extending between the first side portion and the second sideportion; a ventilation air intake opening in at least one of the firstside portion and the second side portion; a ventilation air exhaustopening defined in the upper portion, an interior space of the housingbeing at least partially defined by the first side portion, the secondside portion, and the upper portion; a ventilation fan disposed withinthe interior space of the housing at a location adjacent to theventilation air intake opening, the ventilation fan configured to drawair from outside the housing into the interior space of the housingthrough the ventilation air intake opening; a baffle disposed betweenthe upper portion of the housing and an upper portion of the generatorset, and a drainage structure fluidly communicated with the baffle,wherein the generator set is at least partially disposed within theinterior space of the housing, and wherein the baffle is configured toreceive water from at least the ventilation air exhaust opening and todirect the received water to the drainage structure.
 19. The system ofclaim 18, wherein the baffle contacts at least one of the first andsecond side portions.
 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the baffleincludes at least one inclined portion.